Senescence-messaging secretome factors trigger premature senescence in human endometrium-derived stem cells

Accumulating evidence suggests that the senescence-messaging secretome (SMS) factors released by senescent cells play a key role in cellular senescence and physiological aging. Phenomenon of the senescence induction in human endometrium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MESCs) in response to SMS factors has not yet been described. In present study, we examine a hypothesis whether the conditioned medium from senescent cells (CM-old) may promote premature senescence of young MESCs. In this case, we assume that SMS factors, containing in CM-old are capable to trigger senescence mechanism in a paracrine manner. A long-term cultivation MESCs in the presence of CM-old caused deceleration of cell proliferation along with emerging senescence phenotype, including increase in both the cell size and SA-β-Gal activity. The phosphorylation of p53 and MAPKAPK-2, a direct target of p38MAPK, as well as the expression of p21Cip1 and p16Ink4a were increased in CM-old treated cells with senescence developing whereas the Rb phosphorylation was diminished. The senescence progression was accompanied by both enhanced ROS generation and persistent activation of DNA damage response, comprising protein kinase ATM, histone H2A.X, and adapter protein 53BP1. Thus, we suggest that a senescence inducing signal is transmitted through p16/MAPKAPK-2/Rb and DDR-mediated p53/p21/Rb signaling pathways. This study is the first to demonstrate that the SMS factors secreted in conditioned medium of senescent MESCs trigger a paracrine mechanism of premature senescence in young cells.

[Neurogenic potential of human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue and endometrium: a comparative study]

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from many adult tissue sources. These cells are a valuable substrate in cell therapy for many diseases and injuries. Different types of MSCs vary in plasticity. We performed a comparative study of the neurogenic potential of three types of human MSCs derived from bone marrow (BMSCs), subcutaneous adipose tissue (ADSCs) and endometrium (isolated from the menstrual blood) (eMSCs). It was shown that all three types of MSC cultures demonstrate multipotent plasticity and predisposition to neurogenesis, based on the expression of pluripotency markers SSEA-4 and neuronal precursors' markers nestin and beta-III-tubulin. Further analysis revealed the transcription of the neuronal marker MAP2 and neurotrophin-3 in undifferentiated BMSCs and ADSCs. Additionally, a significant basal level of synthesis of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in eMSC culture was also observed. Stimulation of neural induction with such agents as 5-azacytidine, recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF), a recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8), morphogen SHH (sonic hedgehog), retinoic acid (RA) and isobutyl-methyl-xanthine (IBMX), showed further differences in the neurogenic potential of the MSCs. The components of the extracellular matrix, such as Matrigel and laminin, were also the important inducers of differentiation. The most effective neural induction in BMSCs proceeded without the RA participation while the cells pretreated with 5-azacytidine. In contrary, in the case of eMSCs RA was a necessary agent of neural differentiation as it stimulated the transcription of neurotrophin-4 and the elevation of secretion level of BDNF. The use of laminin as the substrate in eMSCs appeared to be critical, though an incubation of the cells with 5-azacytidine was optional. As far as ADSCs, RA in combination with 5-azacytidine caused the elevation of expression of MAP2, but reduced the secretion of BDNF. Thus, the effect of RA on neural differentiation of ADSCs in ambiguous and, together with the study of its signaling pathways in the MSCs, requires further research. The therapeutic effect of transplanted MSCs is commonly explained by their paracrine activity. The high basal level of BDNF synthesis in the eMSCs, along with their high proliferative rate, non-invasive extraction and neural predisposition, is a powerful argument for the use of the intact eMSCs as a substrate in cell therapy to repair nerve tissue.

[E-cadherin affects MAP activation by growth factors stimulation in human carcinoma cells]

Met and EGF receptor (EGFR) activation is correlated with dissociation of cell-cell adhesion and with increase in mobility of cancer cells. E-cadherin is a major protein of adhesion junctions. Using different approaches we have shown that EGF receptors intracellular localization depends of E-cadherin function. It was found that EGFR localized on the membrane in HT-29 cells which formed mature cell-cell contacts. Moreover, EGFR was colocalized with E-cadherin at the site of cell-cell adhesion in Triton-insoluble fraction. EGFR was accumulated preliminary in cytosol in E-cadherin negative HBL-100 cells. Study of signal transduction mediated by EGF and HGF in cells with different state of cell adhesion demonstrated that E-cadherin could affect ERK-signal-duration. Our preliminary studies proposed that mislocalization of Met and EGFR in E-cadherin negative cells altered receptors downstream signaling.

Affinity purification of Alu-DNA-repeat-binding proteins from human somatic cells

A 66-kD Alu-DNA-repeat binding protein was identified in human somatic cell nucleoplasm. Gel shift assay, southwestern blotting, and affinity purification on DNA attached to a carrier were used. A 60-kD protein copurified with the 66-kD protein during affinity purification, probably due to protein--protein interactions. The gel shift assay reveals multiple complexes with exponential dependence of their relative mobility. The short binding site of the 66-kD protein was defined with the help of synthetic oligonucleotides. It is localized between the A and B boxes of RNA polymerase III promotor and is the same as that reported for the Alu-binding protein from human spermatozoids. The same short binding site, the similarity of the isolation procedure from germ and somatic cells, and similar binding properties and molecular masses suggest homology of the two proteins. The relationship of the proteins we studied and the Alu-DNA-binding proteins described in the literature is discussed.

[Dependence of the process leading to phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) on the status of the actin cytoskeleton]

It has been confirmed that the main actin-dependent period of G1 phase of the cell cycle is the middle of G1. As the critical points in G1 phase are associated with the synthesis of cycling D and E and with the formation of their active complexes with cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk's), a study of a possible influence of actin filaments on these processes was performed. The activity of G1 kinases was estimated by the degree of phosphorylation of their specific substrate-retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Immunoblot analysis with specific antibodies to pRb revealed hypophosphorylated from of Rb in lysates of resting Swiss 3T3 cells and the appearance of hyperphosphorylated form after 12 h of EGF and serum stimulation. In was shown that actin filaments distruction by H2CB led to a decrease in hyper phosphorylated form appearance, depending on the depth of resting state of the cells and efficiency of their stimulation by growth factors. Thus, these data may suggest the involvement of actin cytoskeleton in functioning of the transcription chain cyclin/Cdk-R1-E2F.

Epidermal growth factor induces tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptors not occupied with ligand in intact A431 cells

The mechanism of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) autophosphorylation in intact A431 cells was studied. We detected epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced tyrosine phosphorylation of EGF-R not occupied with ligand. Cell monolayers were subjected to irradiation after incubation with photoreactive derivative of EGF and uncoupled EGF was extracted by acidic treatment. Subsequent immunoprecipitation with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies resulted in precipitation of both EGF-R complexes with EGF and EGF-R with unoccupied ligand-binding site. The fact of precipitation of EGF-R with unoccupied ligand-binding site in conjunction with our finding of rapid dephosphorylation of EGF-R after EGF extraction by acidic treatment, strongly supports the interpretation that cross-phosphorylation of EGF-R may take place in intact cells.